India, Sept. 11 -- Uttarakhand on Wednesday became the second BJP-ruled state after Gujarat to reduce penalties for traffic violations while Karnataka said it would also follow Gujarat's decision.

"As per the amendments passed by the cabinet, a person caught for driving without a driving license would have to pay a penalty of Rs 2500 against Centre's Rs 5000. Similarly a person caught driving even after suspension of his driving license, would have to pay a fine of Rs 5000 against Rs 10000," Uttarakhand's urban development minister and government spokesperson Madan Kaushik said after a cabinet meeting.

Kaushik said the amendments were made for the convenience of the public.